2026 DIY Home Security Systems Market Report
A majority of shoppers now say they prefer DIY home security systems over professionally installed systems, citing lower costs and easier installation.
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Last Updated on May 11, 2026
Key Findings
- DIY is now the most popular choice for home security installation. 51% of shoppers prefer to install a system themselves, and roughly 74% of those who currently use professional installation have considered switching.
- Cost is the top reason people choose DIY home security, but installation flexibility matters nearly as much. 70% said lower cost was their primary reason for preferring DIY, and 43% said they wanted the ability to install on their own schedule.
- Outdoor cameras and video doorbells are the first features people want in a home security system. 83% of shoppers want outdoor cameras, and 81% want a video doorbell, well ahead of traditional sensors, smart home products, and indoor cameras.
- Amazon is where most people plan to buy their home security equipment. 49% of respondents expect to purchase through Amazon, more than brand websites and big-box retailers combined.
- No long-term contracts is a near-universal preference across all shopper types. 71% of all respondents said contract-free options would make them more likely to choose a provider, including 63% of people who prefer professional installation.
If you’re in the market for a home security system, you’ve probably noticed that the buying process looks different than it did a few years ago. The traditional approach (scheduling a technician to come to your home, signing a multi-year monitoring contract, and paying $40 or more per month) is still available, but an increasing number of consumers are skipping it entirely in favor of systems they can buy online and set up themselves.
To get a clear picture of how Americans are thinking about home security in 2026, we surveyed 1,380 U.S. in-market adults about how they prefer to buy and install security equipment, what features matter most to them, how much they’re willing to pay for monitoring, and how they feel about long-term contracts.
The results paint a clear picture: DIY home security is the preferred option, outdoor cameras and video doorbells are the first things people want, and the monthly price consumers are willing to pay for monitoring has dropped well below what most traditional providers charge. Here’s what the data shows, and what it means if you’re shopping for a system right now.
DIY Home Security is Now the Most Popular Option
When we asked respondents how they would prefer to have a home security system installed, a majority (51 percent) said they would rather do it themselves. Only about one in four (26 percent said they actively prefer professional installation, and even within that group, nearly three-quarters (74 percent) said they have at least considered switching to a self-installed setup. That’s a significant shift from just a few years ago, when DIY security was primarily associated with budget-conscious renters or tech-savvy early adopters.
Today, self-installation has become a mainstream preference across household types and demographics. According to a recent SafeHome.org survey, 49 percent of people who currently have security alarm systems installed them themselves.
Home Security Installation Preferences
| If you were shopping for a home security system, which option would you prefer? | Percent of in-market home security shoppers |
|---|---|
| DIY (self-installed system) | 51% |
| Professionally-installed system | 26% |
| Undecided/it depends | 23% |
Source: Security.org survey of 1,380 in-market home security shoppers
Part of what’s driving this change is that the products themselves have gotten much easier to set up. As we found in our hands-on testing of the best DIY security systems, most self-install systems can be up and running in 30 minutes to two hours. Sensors typically arrive pre-paired to the base station, companion apps walk you through each step of the setup process, and you don’t need to drill into walls unless you want a permanent mount. If you’ve been assuming that DIY home security means a complicated installation process, it may be worth revisiting that assumption.
Why People Choose DIY Home Security Over Professional Installation
When we asked people who prefer DIY installation to explain why, lower cost was the most common answer by a wide margin. Seventy percent of self-install shoppers said saving money was a key reason for their preference, and that makes intuitive sense. Professional installation typically costs $100 to $200 as a one-time fee, and the monthly monitoring plans that come with professionally installed systems tend to be more expensive.
Reasons for Preferring DIY Home Security
| Why would you prefer a DIY security system? | Percent of consumers who prefer DIY systems |
|---|---|
| Lower cost | 70% |
| Install on my own schedule | 43% |
| More control over the system | 36% |
| No contracts | 31% |
| Avoid scheduling a technician visit | 29% |
| More privacy (no technician in home) | 29% |
| Easier to move if I relocate | 27% |
| Faster setup | 21% |
Source: Security.org survey; n = 710 DIY-preferring respondents; up to three selections allowed.
But the data also shows that flexibility and autonomy play a large role. Forty-three percent of DIY-preferring shoppers said they want the ability to install their home security system on their own schedule (evenings, weekends, or whenever it’s convenient) rather than waiting for a technician appointment. Twenty-nine percent said they specifically value the privacy of not having a stranger come into their home to install equipment. And 27 percent said they like that a wireless DIY system is easier to take with them if they move to a new home, which is an especially important consideration for renters and young adults. Here are a few benefits of both types of home security systems.
Pros of self-installed (DIY) security systems:
- Cheaper than professional installs
- Install at your preferred time
- Takes less than three hours
- You decide where to place the sensors
Pros of professionally-installed security systems:
- Greater assurance that the system is installed correctly
- No effort and hassle-free for the homeowner or renter
- Allows for more advanced features to be set up
- Some companies offer white glove service
For a deeper look at how DIY and professionally installed security systems compare across these factors, our comparison guide breaks down the trade-offs in detail.
How Hard Is It to Install a Home Security System Yourself?
The good news for anyone considering a DIY home security system is that most people feel confident they can handle the installation, including connecting devices to WiFi, mounting devices, and using an app to set up the system.
Among consumers who are open to self-installation, 78 percent said they are either very comfortable or somewhat comfortable setting up a system on their own. That’s a strong confidence signal, suggesting that the improving ease of use in modern DIY systems is actually resonating with consumers.
DIY Installation Comfort Level
| How comfortable are you with installing home technology yourself? | Percentage of respondents |
|---|---|
| Very comfortable | 34% |
| Somewhat comfortable | 44% |
| Neutral | 10% |
| Somewhat uncomfortable | 7% |
| Very uncomfortable | 5% |
Source: Security.org survey; n =1,024 DIY-friendly consumers
That said, confidence doesn’t mean people have zero concerns. More than half of DIY-friendly shoppers said they worry about making a mistake during installation (59 percent), and a similar share (55 percent) said they’re concerned the system might not work properly after they set it up. Forty-one percent said they worry about setup instructions being unclear, and 32 percent flagged connecting devices to Wi-Fi as a potential sticking point. These are all valid concerns. A motion sensor that’s mounted in the wrong spot or a camera with an unreliable Wi-Fi connection won’t provide the protection you’re paying for.
When you’re comparing systems, it’s worth prioritizing products that offer guided app-based setup, responsive customer support, and built-in verification features that confirm each component is working correctly after installation. User reviews that specifically discuss the installation experience can also be a valuable resource. Systems like SimpliSafe, Cove, and abode all ship with pre-paired sensors, eliminating one of the most common setup frustrations.
Top Concerns With DIY Installation
| Which concerns would you have about installing a security system yourself, if any? | Percent of respondents |
|---|---|
| Making mistakes during installation | 59% |
| System may not work properly | 55% |
| Setup instructions are unclear | 41% |
| Connecting devices to Wi-Fi | 32% |
| Integrating with other smart devices | 26% |
| Mounting/installing equipment | 22% |
Source: Security.org survey; n = 1,024 DIY-friendly consumers; multi-select.
The Most-Wanted Home Security Features: Cameras and Video Doorbells Lead
When we asked all 1,380 respondents in our study which home security features matter most to them, outdoor cameras and video doorbells came out on top by a wide margin. Eighty-three percent of shoppers said they want outdoor security cameras as part of their system, and 81 percent said they want a video doorbell. Mobile alerts, which are real-time notifications sent to your phone when something is detected, came in third at 77 percent. Traditional components like door sensors, window sensors, and glass break detectors still registered strong demand at 61 percent, but the overall emphasis is clearly on video-based security and real-time visibility. People want to be able to see what’s happening at their home, from anywhere, on their phone.
Most-Wanted Home Security Features
| Which features, if any, would you want in a home security system? | Percent of in-market home security shoppers |
|---|---|
| Outdoor cameras | 83% |
| Video doorbell | 81% |
| Mobile alerts | 77% |
| Door/window/glass break sensors | 61% |
| Safety products (smoke/CO/water) | 55% |
| Smart home products | 50% |
| Indoor cameras | 45% |
Source: Security.org survey of 1,380 in-market home security shoppers; multi-select.
If you’re building a home security system from scratch and working within a budget, this data supports starting with an outdoor camera and a video doorbell. That combination covers your most vulnerable entry points (the front door and the perimeter of your home) and gives you the real-time visual awareness that most people are looking for first. You can always layer in door and window sensors, smart home integrations, and additional cameras afterward as your budget allows. For specific product recommendations at different price points, our best security cameras and best doorbell cameras guides are good starting points.
Where to Buy a Home Security System: Amazon Dominates
When it comes to where people plan to actually purchase their home security equipment, Amazon is the clear frontrunner. Nearly half of all respondents (49 percent) said they expect to buy their system through Amazon, which is more than brand websites (15 percent) and big-box retailers like Best Buy and Walmart (14 percent) combined. That’s consistent with how most people shop for electronics in general: they search for products, compare options, read customer reviews, and place an order, all in one place.
Top Purchase Channels
| If you were shopping for a DIY home security system today, where would you most likely buy one? | Percent of in-market home security shoppers |
|---|---|
| Amazon | 49% |
| Brand website | 15% |
| Big-box retailer (Best Buy, Walmart) | 14% |
| Home improvement store (Home Depot, Lowe’s) | 10% |
| Warehouse club (Costco, Sam’s Club) | 8% |
| Other / not sure | 4% |
Source: Security.org survey of 1,380 in-market home security shoppers; multi-select.
If you’re planning to buy your home security system on Amazon, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you get the best deal and the right product:
- Look for items with high review volume. At least 500 verified purchase reviews will give you a much more reliable picture of real-world performance than a handful of five-star ratings.
- Take the time to check the Q&A section beneath the product listing, where you’ll often find useful answers to common installation and compatibility questions from people who have already set up the system.
- Compare the price on the brand’s own website. Some providers (SimpliSafe being one example) offer bundle deals, extended equipment warranties, or introductory monitoring promotions on their direct site that aren’t available through Amazon.
Do Home Security Systems Require Contracts? Most Shoppers Want Month-to-Month
One of the most consistent findings in our survey is that consumers across the board want the option to avoid long-term contracts when choosing a home security provider. Seventy-one percent of all respondents said that contract-free plans would make them more likely to choose a given provider. What makes this finding especially notable is that it holds true across every shopper segment we measured: 78 percent of people who prefer DIY installation, 73 percent of undecided shoppers, and even 63 percent of people who said they prefer professional installation all expressed the same preference for month-to-month flexibility. Contract aversion isn’t limited to the DIY crowd. It runs across the entire home security category.
Features That Increase Likelihood to Choose a Provider
| Which of these features would make you most likely to choose one DIY system over another? | Percent of in-market home security shoppers |
|---|---|
| Lower cost than professionally installed system | 75% |
| No long-term contracts | 71% |
| Short setup time | 46% |
| Same protection without technician visit | 42% |
| Professional monitoring available | 27% |
Source: Security.org survey of 1,380 in-market home security shoppers; multi-select.
From a practical standpoint, this means that unless a long-term contract comes with a meaningful equipment discount that clearly justifies the commitment, a month-to-month monitoring plan is the better default choice for most people. If a provider does require a contract, it’s worth asking what’s driving that requirement. In many cases, the contract exists because it’s tied to an equipment lease or financing arrangement, and that’s the real reason for the lock-in.
Paying more upfront for your equipment and keeping the flexibility of a month-to-month monitoring plan tends to save you money over a two- or three-year period compared to a contract that bundles equipment costs into a higher monthly rate.
Home Security and Smart Home Compatibility: Alexa, Google Home, and More
Smart home integration has become an important factor for home security shoppers, and our data shows why: 63 percent of respondents said they already use at least one smart home platform in their household. Amazon Alexa is the most popular ecosystem at 38 percent of respondents, followed by Google Home at 24 percent. Samsung SmartThings and Apple HomeKit trail further behind at nine percent and five percent, respectively.
For the majority of shoppers who already have smart home devices, choosing a security system that integrates with their existing platform isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a practical necessity. A security camera that can tie into your Alexa routines, or a video doorbell that triggers an announcement on your Google Home speakers when someone is at the door, delivers the kind of everyday convenience that makes a system feel worth the investment.
Smart Home Ecosystem Usage
| What type of smart home ecosystem do you use, if any? | Percent of in-market home security shoppers |
|---|---|
| Amazon Alexa | 38% |
| Google Home | 24% |
| Samsung SmartThings | 9% |
| Apple HomeKit | 5% |
| None | 37% |
Source: Security.org survey of 1,380 in-market home security shoppers; multi-select.
Before you commit to a specific home security system, it’s worth taking stock of which smart home devices you already own. If your home runs on Amazon Echo devices, Ring and Blink cameras offer the most seamless Alexa integration available. Google Nest cameras and the ADT Self-Setup system work best with Google Home. Apple HomeKit users currently have a smaller range of compatible home security products to choose from, though the selection is growing.
What This All Adds Up To
The overall picture that emerges from our research is consistent: consumers want home security systems that are affordable, flexible, easy to install themselves, and built around video-based monitoring. They want to buy their equipment the same way they buy other electronics, primarily through online retailers, so they can easily access customer reviews and compare products. And they are largely unwilling to pay $40 or more per month for monitoring services or to lock themselves into multi-year contracts for professional protection.
The good news is that the market has largely responded to these expectations. Solid DIY home security systems are now available at every price point. Monthly monitoring costs start as low as $0 for self-monitoring, and contract-free options are the norm among the most popular providers. If you’re shopping for a home security system today, you have more good choices than at any point in the category’s history.
Methodology
This study was conducted online March 26–31, 2026, among 1,380 U.S. adults who are primary or shared household decision-makers and are actively considering the purchase of a home security system within the next 12 months. Respondents were recruited from a reputable online panel and completed an approximately 8-minute survey across mobile, desktop, or tablet devices. The survey included a mix of closed- and open-ended questions exploring consumer preferences, purchase drivers, and home security behaviors.
Data were not weighted. Quality control procedures included both automated and manual review to remove low-quality responses. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding and multi-select questions. For the full sample of 1,380 in-market consumers, the results have a margin of error of approximately ±2.6 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Margins of error are higher for subgroups.